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Veteran loses 30 pounds in VA's MOVE! program

Army Veteran Michael McLafferty kicks off the new year in good shape

By By Amanda Kurtz Public Affairs Specialist

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

From the MOVE! Program and Wellness Center to nutrition counseling and free weekly fitness classes, VA Butler Healthcare has plenty of resources and programs to help Veterans get fit and stay fit in the New Year.

Army Veteran Michael McLafferty has participated in VA Butler’s MOVE! Program, exercised at the Wellness Center, and currently attends VA Butler’s weekly fitness classes. This past year, he attended 181 classes after Courtney Johns, a registered dietician at VA Butler, suggested he might want to shed a few pounds.

“It just makes you feel so much better!”

Michael first got involved in health and wellness programs at VA Butler Healthcare through the MOVE! Weight Management Program. Thanks to MOVE! Michael lost 30-35 pounds. “I can thank Courtney for that! She ran the program and she got me interested in losing weight.”

Last year, McLafferty attended 181 fitness classes

After success with MOVE! Michael started going to VA Butler’s Wellness Center. Michael got himself into better shape lifting weights, and then decided it was time to give the fitness classes a try to add in some cardio. Michael attends the fitness classes available free to Veterans three to four times a week. He participates in cardio classes (his favorite), yoga classes, and boxercise.

“The classes help me maintain my weight. I’m also in much better shape than I used to be,” said Michael. “I can do so much more now than I could when I first started, in terms of endurance, balance, etc. I’m 65 years old. So, the balance part that comes with yoga is important.”

Michael recommends the fitness classes to everyone, and not just the fitness classes, but exercise in general. “It just makes you feel so much better!”